Speech #490124761

I fully believe that this bill. if it becomes a law. will not only uproot polygamy in the Territory. but. if supplemented by the proposed constitutional amendment. will rid us of all fear of it and its cognate evils ever being introduced into State constitutions. A moments consideration will discover the gravity of the situation. An earnest. resolute. and even fanatical people have taken possession of one of the large Territories of the Union. seized upon the public domain. organized and established a church which absorbs as well as controls the state. gives it wealth and power unequaled. numbers considered. by any heretofore existing. incorporated and supplied with abundant means an emigration society which operates as a recruiting force most formidable in its energies and success. .have seized all the civil power. including education of children. as well as the whole military force and given them into the hands of the church and made it not an empire in an empire. but the empire itself. That church governs all things with a steady and relentless hand. it disposes of life and liberty. it dictates laws and practices. and has in the name of religion imposed upon its subjects faith in. and practice of. polygamy. .This people and this church defy the moral sense of the civilized world and are of necessity antagonistic to the principles and institution of the Republic. Subject to the laws of Congress. under the Constitution. they defysuch laws as thwart their needs and interests. and the time has arrived when it must be decided whether they rule or obey. This bill now under consideration undertakes to deal with the whole subject. and to place Utah where the Constitution puts her and where all other Territories remainunder the laws of Congress. It proposes to take possession of the public domain not disposed.of under the laws of the United States. to disband the Mormon armythe Nanvoo Legionto make provision for the education of children. to provide punishment for offenses against chastity. and the way for making proof. to amend the incorporation of the church. so as to divorce it from the state. to insure in Utah. as elsewhere. equality of rights to all churches. giving all freedom of worship and of conscience. but also subjecting all to the laws of the land. This bill proposes also to annul and declare void the incorporation of the "Perpetual Emigration Fund Company." and to place the government of Utah largely in the hands of officers appointed by the President of the United States. not only that crime may cease but that good government may exist. All these objects meet my most unqualified approbation after long and earnest study of the subject. I am. therefore. pained to find one provision in the bill to which I am unalterably opposed.